Tourist Crowds Rise at Maithon and Nehru Park from Early December

Asansol, December 9 (Daily Kiran) – With the onset of December, the popular tourist spots in West Bardhaman, including Maithon Reservoir and Nehru Park in Burnpur, are witnessing a fresh wave of visitors. The winter season traditionally attracts thousands to Maithon each year, and this year is no exception.

From early December, the ghats of Maithon begin to buzz with activity, especially over weekends when large crowds gather. Tourists can already be seen strolling along the banks of the Damodar River. Meanwhile, Nehru Park in Burnpur has been beautifully decorated, with park management adding several new attractions for children this year.

Local boatmen are busy with decorations and repairs

Boatmen in Maithon remain the busiest during this period. Although boats remain idle for much of the year, the December-January season provides livelihoods for many families. A local boatman, Alauddin Ansari, shared that before the season begins, all boats undergo repairs, painting, and decoration. New wood has been added to some boats, and safety features have been reinforced in others. He added that if better facilities like improved roads and cleanliness are provided, tourist numbers could double.

Hotels and lodges prepared, bookings pick up

Hotel and lodge operators in and around Maithon appear highly active this season. On Monday, several hotels reported advance room bookings throughout the day. Local hotel owners expect bookings to rise significantly after December 10, with many families already reserving rooms for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The hotel owners also mentioned receiving assurances from authorities for enhanced security, including increased patrolling and monitoring.

With the growing crowds at Maithon picnic spots, strict security measures are necessary. Police teams inspected the ghats and main roadways on Monday. The administration stated that due to increasing holiday crowds, additional police personnel will be deployed in the reservoir area, and boating safety rules will be strictly enforced.

However, the lack of adequate facilities remains the biggest challenge in the area.

Some local boatmen pointed out that although parking fees are collected, the funds do not contribute to local development. Garbage accumulates at several spots, public toilets lack water, and there are insufficient seating arrangements for elderly visitors.

Boatmen Pradeep Marandi and Nazrul Ansari remarked that despite the large number of tourists visiting annually, the cleanliness and water availability in toilets remain poor.

Tourists’ expectations and demands from administration

The primary demands of visitors are simple and basic—cleanliness, lighting, safe boating, and comfortable seating. If these facilities are consistently provided, Maithon could gain national recognition not just as a picnic spot but as a major tourist destination.

A tourist from Kolkata said that Maithon’s beauty is remarkable, but with a bit more attention from the administration, the place could become even more splendid.

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(Daily Kiran) / Santosh Vishwakarma